Vehicle passenger protection system comprising an airbag module

Abstract

A vehicle occupant protection system for a convertible includes an airbag disposed in the door. The airbag has a lower cell area, an upper cell area, and an intermediate area. The intermediate area, in a filled state of the airbag has a smaller thickness than the lower cell area and/or the upper cell area. A positioning strap has one end fastened to the vehicle at a fastening location, and a second end fastened to a fastening point at the intermediate area. A length of the positioning strap between the fastening location and the fastening point is configured to be shorter than a length of an airbag fabric between a lower edge of the airbag and the intermediate area of the airbag.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle occupant protection system, comprising an airbag module disposed in a vehicle door of a vehicle which comprises at least one gas generator and one airbag, the airbag having a lower cell area and an upper cell area, with an intermediate area being arranged between the lower cell area and the upper cell area, wherein the intermediate area in an activated and filled state of the airbag has a smaller thickness than the lower cell area and/or the upper cell area, wherein a positioning strap has one end of fastened to a fastening location on the vehicle, and a second end fastened to a fastening point at the intermediate area, wherein a length of the positioning strap between the vehicle-fixed fastening location and the fastening point at the intermediate area is configured to be shorter than a length of an airbag fabric between a lower edge of the airbag and the intermediate area of the airbag. 
     
     
       2. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning strap is disposed externally on a side of the airbag facing outboard of the vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning strap is disposed externally on a side of the airbag facing the vehicle occupant. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening location for the positioning strap is disposed in the vehicle door spaced apart from an airbag module housing. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tether disposed externally on a side of the airbag facing the vehicle occupant. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 5 , wherein the tether, in an activated and filled state of the airbag, completely spans the lower cell area and the intermediate area of the airbag and at least partially spans the upper cell area. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 6 , wherein the tether and/or the positioning strap include a friction layer on a side facing the lower cell area and/or the upper cell area of the airbag. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 6 , wherein the tether and/or the positioning strap include a friction coating on a side facing the lower cell area and/or the upper cell area of the airbag. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 5 , wherein one end of the tether is fixed to the vehicle and a second end of the tether is fastened to the upper cell area, especially to an upper edge of the upper cell area. 
     
     
       10. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the airbag module installed in the vehicle door in an area of an upper door edge on a side facing a vehicle interior. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the airbag comprises a front panel and a rear panel that are connected to each other at connecting areas, wherein the fastening point at the intermediate area comprises one of the connecting areas. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the positioning strap is configured so that the positioning strap pulls the lower cell area inboard in response to inflation of the airbag. 
     
     
       13. The vehicle occupant protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a convertible vehicle.